2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 10-3, Win vs. Oregon State in Sun Bowl (40-8)

The Sam Hartman hype at Notre Dame got off to a roaring start with four consecutive wins scoring 40 or more in each. This includes taking down N.C. State in Week 3. It slowed down a bit with a last-second loss to Ohio State followed by a 33-20 loss to Louisville. This eliminated any CFB Playoff talk for the Irish in 2023. The biggest win of the year came when Notre Dame put up 48 points in a runaway victory against USC. The season ended with a 40-point performance against Oregon State during bowl season.

Offense: Leonard next in line for Irish

Notre Dame might be turning into a landing spot for experienced quarterbacks in the transfer portal. First it was Hartman and now Riley Leonard comes in from Duke.

Leonard comes in with new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. The former Blue Devil will have a loaded group to work with as the Irish looked to improve the unit this offseason. The group of pass catchers became even deeper. Jordan Faison and Jayden Thomas will take a step up in role while Jaden Greathouse also returns. The Irish added Kris Mitchell and Beaux Collins in the transfer portal.

Mitchell Evans tore his ACL in October after 29 catches for 422 yards and a touchdown. He decided to return to Notre Dame and continue his impressive work on the field, if healthy.

In the backfield, Audric Estime has moved on but the Irish return Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. This makes for an exciting duo at running back. The multi-faceted Irish should not have trouble scoring points this season but it all comes down to the health of Leonard under center.

Defense: Irish to create best unit

Notre Dame return five starters from a defense that ranked fifth in the nation in yards allowed per play and total defense. It was also seventh in scoring defense. Defensive coordinator Al Golden will enter his second season off a great debut year looking to take another step forward.

All-American safety Xavier Watts leads the group of returners after 52 tackles and seven interceptions last season. He is joined in the secondary by cornerback Benjamin Morrison. This duo could be the best in the nation this season. Transfers Rod Heard II and Jordan Clark will battle for the spot opposite Morrison on the outside.

Along the defensive line, Howard Cross III returns after his All-American campaign. With Rylie Mills, the Irish have an elite duo on the interior. If there is a question mark defensively, it would be at linebacker. Notre Dame will replace two starters in the middle but have made great strides in doing so.

2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: at Texas A&M
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Northern Illinois
• Saturday, Sept. 14: at Purdue
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Miami Ohio
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Louisville
• Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Stanford
• Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. Georgia Tech (Neutral Location)
• Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Navy (Neutral Location)
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Florida State
• Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Virginia
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Army (Neutral Location)
• Saturday, Nov. 30: at USC